Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Veiled Vision ❯ The Enemy ( Chapter 3 )

VEILED VISION

Summary: The enemies are revealed. What will Kurama do if he has to restrain himself from using his strength in front of his family? Will he transform into Youko Kurama in order to protect his love ones?

Date: 3/6/2004

Original Characters: The three enemies: Kiyake, Siru, Hayan.

Author's Notes: Reviews?! *gasping incredulously* Yay!!! And I thought nobody likes my fic ^0^. Please tell me what you like and don't like about this story! Are the characters in character so far? Criticisms are helpful (except for the ones about my grammatical errors because I am VERY WELL AWARE of them but can't do anything about that right now *sweatdrop*). I hope the original characters are acceptable ^^!

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Chapter Three - THE ENEMY

Gripping at the piece of note in his hand, Kurama raised his energy level unconsciously as anger searing through his mind. Without second thought, he quickly raced back to Makai, to where the kidnapper specified him to go. This was a trap, but he was in no condition at bending the rule the kidnapper had set up. There's no time for him to contact anyone else; besides, the kidnappers specified him to go alone. He could not risk the chance.

Who would have done this? Maybe he had made many enemies when he was a youko, but he couldn't think of anyone would be out to get their revenge. It's suicidal to let any enemy who would cause potential threat live. He, as a youko, had definitely made sure none of his enemies would survive long enough to cause him any harm.

Then who were the enemies? What were their motives? Why went through the troubles while they could have confronted him alone when he was in Makai? They knew he was away from the human world, that's why they strake. His family... they were innocent, helpless. If they dared to lay a hand on his love ones, they would receive the most painful death. No. Death was a relief; endless tortures suited them better.

Doubtlessly, the enemies wanted to use his family against him. Not only did he need to compromise with the enemies in their terms, if his family was around he would not want to use his power.

He was at the disadvantage, but he could careless. His mother, Kazuya, and Shuuichi were the priority.

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Complete darkness engulfed the room, with only a few candles being the sole light source. They couldn't perceive what had happened; everything was a flash. Three people busted into their house, knocked them unconscious. And by the time they woke up they found themselves in the captive of those people, hands and legs were tied, sitting against the walls.

Two of them were standing on the other sides of the room, chatting quietly; occasionally laughers could be heard. The first one had brownish short hair. His arms were crossed, showing lines of black tattoos on his biceps. There was an arrogant aura around this one, while the other one, slightly shorter, had a playful smile on the young pale face. His long dark hair was tied up, matched well with the rest of his black outfits. A few feet from them sat the last of their captors. Under the dimness of the candle lights they could see the long azure hair hung itself loose behind the broad frame. His eyes were closed, expression remained impassive.

"What do you want from us?" Kazuya broke the silence. His calm voice echoed in the large room even though his body trembled slightly. It roused the attentions of the captors.

The one with dark hair replied. A smile wore onto his face. "Don't flatter yourself, human. It's not you that our Lord Kiyake wants; our target is your other son. You are merely baits for our big fish."

Shuuichi asked, "Well then what do you want with Shuichi, you bastard?" Kazuya quickly whispered, "Quiet Shuuichi."

The dark hair boy's mouth twitched at what Shuuichi just called him. He walked toward him, drawing a dagger from his waist, greenish eyes glittered dangerously. Just as he was about to hit Shuuichi, the taller man stood himself between them and the dark hair captor. He briefly warned to his companion, "Siru." Then turned to Shuuichi and said, "That is none your concern, boy. You better keep your mouth shut if you want to live."

Siru spitted and turned around, back facing his companion while he put his dagger back. Hands brushing and straightening his clothes, acting as if nothing had happened.

Shiroi asked softly, "Then why do you want to harm Shuichi? He has never hurt anything in his life."

The one with bluish hair opened his eyes and stood up, walking toward their direction, closing the distance between them. The other two bowed slightly at him. A thick voice ordered, "Hayan, Siru." They bowed their heads again and exited the room, closing the doors behind them.

His golden eyes looked at Shiroi as he spoke, "It's true that the youko has nothing against me, but I need something from him that only he can give me."

"Youko?" Shiroi's voice was fainted, confusing frown appeared on her feature.

Kiyake smirked, "You don't know, do you? Let me tell you a little secret about Shuichi Minamino- he is not your son but just a demon spirit took over your son's body."

"What kind of lie is that?" Shuuichi shouted, while Kazuya moved closer to his wife to support her.

The Lord ignored Shuuichi's outburst, still concentrated on Shiroi. He bent his body downward, breathing his words at her, "You are his mother, woman. Haven't you ever felt your son is strange? Gentle, polite, smart, handsome; he had no human flaw to speak with. Not to mention his exceptional ability with plants." A smile appeared on his face when Shiroi's face turned pale, "Sometimes, don't you feel he is very distant, and you know nothing about him? It's almost as if he is not your own?"

"Don't listen to him, mother. He's lying." The boy refused to believe it.

Kiyake straightened up and stepped backward, started telling a story to all of them. "Long ago a thief named Youko Kurama was well known throughout demon world Makai for his ruthlessness and intelligent, but one day his spirit was forced to come to the human world and hid inside a human female's womb after he was injured almost fatally by the Reikai hunters. Then, Youko Kurama reincarnated as Shuichi Minamino." Kiyake paused, and continued. His voice haunted their hearts, "It seems like he had deceived you all into thinking that he is the real Shuichi Minamino."

Shuuichi argued defiantly, "Why should we believe you anyway?" He would not believe what this stranger was saying. It's impossible for his brother to be what that man just described.

"You don't have to believe me now. But I can prove it to you... when he gets here."

Silence took over for a while, until Shiori asked. There was a hint of weakness in her voice, like she was defeated. "If..." She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself, "If what you said is true... what happened to my real son? The real Shuichi?"

"His spirit was mostly likely destroyed in the process when Youko Kurama took over the womb." This struck her heart like ice-spikes.

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Hiei made his way to Koenma's office, ignoring all curious glances along the hallway. George ran after him with all his might even though his speed could not match the forbidden child's. He yelled, while trying to take as much oxygen inside his lung as possible, "Please! You can't just walk in there like that. Let me inform Koenma sir first." It was too late; Hiei had already kicked the giant door opened and invited himself in.

"Good Hiei. I was looking for you," Enma's child, who was sitting on a huge red arm-chair, greeted behind his pacifier.

"Hn."

They turned to the door when harsh breathings sounds approached them. Yusuke and Kuwabara, dressed in fighting uniforms, raced themselves into the room, with Botan flying behind them. Yusuke nodded to Hiei to acknowledge his presence, while Kuwabara muttered something under his breath.

"Botan said something happened to Kurama's family, is it true? When is Kurama now? Who are the enemies?" At that the fire Koorime raised his eyebrow at what the Spirit Detective just said. He turned to Koenma, expecting an explanation.

Koenma desperately avoided Hiei's deadly glances. "Please Yusuke, one question at a time." The demigod cleared his voice, "It seems like Kurama is in big trouble."

Hiei asked coldly, "What do you mean by that?" His ruby eyes glared dangerously at the Koenma.

Koenma swallowed hard, pulled out his remote and flicked the monitor on. A picture of three demons was shown on the screen, "Three very strong demons, two at A-class and the one at S-class level, came to the human world about a week ago. They were searching for Kurama, but the reason behind this is still unknown." He flicked to another channel, showing the outside of the some deserted place. From the image it seemed like the somewhere in Makai. "They captured Kurama's family to a place called The Lost Ruin in Makai to lure Kurama to them."

Botan said angrily, "How cowardly are they to use Kurama's family against him!"

"Well," The dark hair detective shouted, his right fist pounded onto Koenma's desk, "if they had been in the human world for days, then why the hell did you not warn us about it?"

The child-like god explained, "Calm down Yusuke. I didn't know about their presence until today. They had suppressed their energy. By the time I found out about them they had already made their move."

The fire demon snorted at the explanation.

Koenma turned his attention to Hiei, "Is Muruko good with you not being able to help her for a while?"

"Why wouldn't she? She is not my keeper," he sneered.

Kuwabara, who listened to the conversation without uttering a word, finally yelled, "What are we still standing around for? Let's go kick some asses!"

"You are not going," Yusuke announced, while staring at Kuwabara.

"Why the hell not?"

Yusuke pointed at the screen, "Use the big head of yours! These are strong demons we are dealing with. You will probably be dead meat if fighting against them."

"Are you saying I am weak, Urameshi?"

"No, I am telling you that."

The orange hair boy was ticked off at that. "Well, I will have you know that while you were gone those two years I had been training also, and I am still training under Genkai if you don't have a clue about it. And," he took a very deep breath, then released it all at once with his nonstop babblings, "if you think I will be the bastard to let you all run into danger while I am sitting at home doing nothing but homework... you are WRONG! Because I am the great Kazuma Kuwabara and I have never missed the chance for a great fight in my entire life! I shall prove to you that I am much worthier than the little hamster leg over there!" he pointed at Hiei, who had his back turn to ignore him. Botan shook her head while watching Kuwabara. And Enma Jr. massaged his forehead, willing his headache to go away.

Yusuke scratched his head, sighing, "Guess I can't stop you." He saw Kuwabara beamed at him. "Whatever, you come with us, but don't say that I didn't warn you about this earlier and come haunt me if you die!"

Kuwabara ran off while yelling excitedly, "Let's go then!" The other two boys ran after him. Botan reminded them, "Be careful."

Hiei snorted as he caught up with Kuwabara with ease, "Hmph! Finally!"

"Shut up shortie!"

"Make me."

"Can you two stop arguing?" The team leader tried to break up the fight as usual.

After the three were gone, Koenma slumped back into his chair, stared at the hallway outside his office, "Botan, remind me again why I appointed them as the Reikai Tantei."

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An abandon fortress came into his view behind a curtain of dust and sand in air.

The closer he got, the more agitated he felt. No longer could he control the fast beatings of his heart and the speed of his breathings. Something, or someone, inside this place was the cause of what he was feeling. His impulse told him to leave this place, to be away from the unknown danger, but his conscious held himself in place.

Calming himself down as much as possible, he jumped across the river that was surrounded the fortress and walked through the entrance into the darkness. Taking out a seed from his pocket, he threw it on the floor. The seed grew into a flower that lit up the area surrounding it, lightened up the path.

After walking through the dark corridors, he arrived to a room where the energy signals were the strongest. Slowly, he pushed the large doors opened.

"Mother, Kazuya, Shuuichi!" He ran toward them, but a ward suddenly flared up as he got to a certain distance from them. Gritting his teeth, he inspected them quickly for any sign of wounds. A noise behind him took his attention and he turned around.

The blue hair demon came out from the shadow to greet him. The dim candle lights cast shadows onto his face, giving him a sinister look. "I am Kiyake. You must be Kurama. It's a pleasure to meet you, although," he turned his face slightly, looking at Kurama sideway, "I prefer to see you in the other form." Kurama observed the other slowly. There's no recollection of this person in his memory, however, something about him made Kurama shivered in fear. A very strong opponent, but there's more to it...

He ignored his last comment and spoke, "I am here. Now let my family go free." There was chilliness in his voice that Shiori had ever heard of in her life.

"I don't believe you are in the position to negotiate," Kiyake laughed, and he launched himself toward Kurama. A cut appeared onto his tunic; he barely dodged energy-made knife. Not wanting to reveal himself to his family, he restrained himself to attack with martial arts.

"Transform into your youko self to fight." The demon demanded, but Kurama did not answer as he desperately avoided the vigorous attacks.

How difficult it was for him to abandon his past. He didn't want to be youko again, and he would rather die than being him once more while he still had his family to care for. Something about being youko created a conflict with the human life. He desired to be untainted for his loved ones, wished that he could convince himself that he was not a blood thirsty demon, but he couldn't. This was the way in Makai. If he wanted to survive he had to be cruel; he didn't want that...not when he was still alive as a human.

"Shuichi, watch out!"

His brother called out, but he didn't see it coming. A huge energy ball strake his back, smashing his body onto the cold floor. Shiori and Kazuya gasped at the sight.

He could feel blood pouring out from his wound, painting his clothing dark red color. Panting, he struggled to get back up, but Kiyake was ready to aim another energy ball at him. The Lord demanded once more, "Turn into Youko Kurama."

Kurama remained silent.

"Your choice, Youko," Kurama's eyes widened when Kiyake's palm suddenly turned to his family, white lights started to grow bigger on his palm into a ball. "Be that way." He released the energy blast.

No!!! Time seemed to stop at that moment. All the mental struggling was overran by his determination. No longer did he care about his place in his family's eyes; his sole concern was their safety. Silver energy erupted within the room, blazing at every surroundings.

A plant shot out from the ground in front of the Hatanakas, swallowed down the energy blast. Smoke from the energy ball filled the room. As it slowly faded, a tall youko with silver hair came into view, while the redhead boy was nowhere to be found.

Shiori, Kazuya, and Shuuichi were all shocked. What Kiyake told them was true. The one who had been living with them all these times, the one who had been bringing them joy into their life was nothing but an illusion created by a fox demon.

"Youko Kurama," Kiyake said as he licked his lips, "Just like a carbon copy of your father, but certainly have your mother's eyes."

Kurama locked his eyes on Kiyake, trying to diverse his attention from his human family. He didn't want to...couldn't... look at them. Under his command, the plant started their onslaughts. His enemy fired energy balls at the plants, killing the stems one by one. Somehow, in the form of Youko Kurama, the unsettlement of his heart increased tenfold. He was beginning to feel coldness entered his heart, as if trying to swallow his soul. Who was this Kiyake? Why did he knew about his mother and father?

Suddenly he sensed two more demons entered the room. Knowing that he needed to finish his enemies fast, he took out a white flower from his long hair. The rose transformed into rose whip. He threw two more seeds onto the ground, which changed into more giants plants. One of them shielded the Hatanakas while the other one, which was a Maojigisous, set out to attack.

Siru and Hayan dashed toward Kurama on both sides. The Youko lashed the whip against his enemies, while jumping back and forth to dodge their assaults. Siru put an energy shell around his daggers and threw them at him. They missed, but cut down most of the stems of the Maojigisou that were chasing Hayan, who was slashing the seemingly uncountable numbers of stems off. Because of the attack, the plant grew more aggressive and it sprayed out acid toward the two demons.

While they were fighting, Kiyake watched Kurama with interests. This is the one, he smiled to himself inwardly. He turned his glances at the Hatanakas, who were protected by a plant. When he walked closer to them, the heads of plant started snapping at him, acidic saliva dripping onto the floor from the mouths filled with sharp teeth. Vines came out and wrapped him around, bounding him. Kiyake chuckled slightly at the plant's advance. Effortlessly, he blasted the entire plant into pieces with a single move, leaving the Hatanakas wide open, defenseless. Raising his hand, he fired an energy ball toward them.

They screamed and shut their eyes against the brilliant light of death. They could feel the winds were blowing against their directions. The heat was becoming more and more intense, making their skin burn.

Then there's nothing.

Gradually and with great hesitate, they opened their eyes.

A white body was standing in front of them.

Drip, drip...

Bloods dripping onto the ground from the youko's body as he collapsed. He struggled to get up in a kneeling position. Then, he pulled out a seed from his hair, and it grew around his hand, forming a sword. Fiercely, he pointed it at Kiyake, daring him to come closer. The other two demons finished all the plants already and stood a few meters away, watching the scene.

"You stay away from him!" Kurama was surprised at his mother's voice. Shiori didn't know why she would do that also, but somehow, she wanted to protect this stranger, even though he broke her heart by lying to her for over almost two decades.

Kiyake asked as he advanced toward Kurama, apparently was amused by Shiori's words. "Or else what?"

Kurama moved his body, so he was blocking his human family from the demon. The slightest movement made him dizzy, but he ignored it. "You can do whatever you want with me, but let them go."

Kiyake inched closer to him but he refused to move. The demon smiled at him, "I will take your offer, youko."

Kurama fixed his glare at Kiyake ferociously as the Lord raised his hand and inserted it into his chest, seizing something inside. Burning pain overwhelming the fox and he released a bloody scream. Every part of his nerve became painful, as if his body was splitting apart. The plant around his hand immediately withered and died upon the assault. Instinct took over and he grabbed onto the Lord's hand, desperately trying to force the hand to pull back out. Energy from his body seemed to be diminished. He could not fight anymore...

"Rei Gun!" Yusuke...

Kiyake was blasted against the wall. His hand was forced to withdraw from Kurama's chest. Three familiar faces busted into the room. The impact of Yusuke's attack, combined with the destructions from the roots of the plants earlier, seemed to trigger the instability of the fortress.

He couldn't move; his body was immobilized... too tired. Eyelids started to close themselves down, covering the emerald eyes.

I can't... have to stay awake. They need me...

The enemies made their exit at the sight of the shaking grounds and falling ceilings. Hiei wanted to chase after them, but the compound was collapsing fast that some of the stones blocked his way.

Kuwabara shouted, "We have to leave now Urameshi! The thing is falling apart!"

"Yeah! Tell me something I don't know already!" Yusuke shouted back. He spotted the Hatanakas and rushed forward, but an energy shied came out from nowhere unable him to get to them.

Kuwabara focused his energy to make a dimensional sword to cut the ward open. "Stupid ward," he muttered, and went forth to cut the bounds off the Hatanakas.

"Shuichi!" Shiori suddenly screamed. Everyone turned and saw the floor under Kurama's body shattered. His body fell with the pieces to the abyss.

Yusuke ran forward quickly, "Oh no! Kurama!"

"Hiei!" A flash of blackness rushed past Yusuke and went down after Kurama's body.

Yusuke turned back to the Hatanakas, "Let's get out from this place first." He carried Shiori, while Kuwabara had Shuuichi and Kazuya. They speeded down and left the compound just in time before it crashed completely.

They put the Hatanakas to the ground, then, Hiei showed up, alone.

Yusuke whispered, "Hiei..."

"I couldn't find him." The sounds of solid objects reached their ears. They were the sounds from the fallings of the tear gems. "I couldn't catch him when he needed me to."

Shuuichi asked. His voice was quivering, "You mean... Shuichi is... dead?" Shiori broke into sobs while Kazuya held her.

"Shut up human! Kurama isn't dead!" Hiei roared.

"Stop that you shrimp! You are not the only one who cares..." Kuwabara's next words were cut short by Yusuke's nudged against his ribs.

Hiei continued, "I can't detect his energy because he is too weak. He's no dead yet." The fire in his ruby eyes was gone. His voice turned into a murmur, "He just can't be."

Yusuke walked closer to Hiei and put a hand onto the fire demon's shoulder, surprised that he didn't push it away. He said gently, "There's no use for us to stand here. We should go find Botan. If Kurama is... he is alive or not, Botan would know."

The forbidden child didn't say a word as he followed the group back to the human world. The sounds of Shiori's crying could be heard along the way.

To Be Continue...

Next Chapter: The Friend

I wonder if Kurama is dead or not... hmm... should I make him die? *grinning evilly at my power to control Kurama's live*

~ZeroCool